Dalhousie men's hockey team braces for punishment

Days after the women’s hockey team lost its season over a hazing incident at Dalhousie University, the men’s hockey team is bracing for punishment for alleged improper conduct.

In Canada, university sport has strict rules regarding financial awards.

Tuition and fees is the maximum award an athlete can receive in an academic year, but the Dalhousie Tigers men’s hockey team may have paid some players too much.

Last year, when administrators discovered potential wrongdoing, they disclosed the matter to Canadian Interuniversity Sport - the national governing body for university sport.

"We took the initiative in this case and I think that's preferable. If you find something, take it where it needs to be," says Dalhousie University spokesman Charles Crosby.

Now, the CIS will decide if disciplinary action is needed.

“Honestly, we have no idea on a timeline," says Crosby.

Crosby says the details are confidential. However, two people close to the team - one a former employee - tell CTV News several male hockey players were paid, or at least promised, financial awards that far exceed the per-player limit.

Now the matter rests with the CIS and punishment or sanctions could be handed down as early next week.

The timing is less than ideal for Dalhousie given the women's hockey team is having trouble of its own.

"It's not ideal, but you take situations as they arise,” says Crosby. “What's incumbent on us is to deal with them when they arise."

Trevor Stienburg, the head coach of the Saint Mary’s University Huskies hockey team, refuses to weigh in on what the Tigers did or didn’t do.

However, he does say situations like this and the attention generated should make all athletic departments diligent when it comes to playing within the rules.

“Take a look, make sure you like what you see,” says Stienburg. “Or you're OK with everything that he or she is doing. No one wants to have a black cloud over them for sure."